subject: The Adoption Agency Requires A Psychological Evaluation-can You Pass? -from Crystal Lake And Cary,il [print this page] If you want to adopt a child, it is important that you are aware how the process works. At some point in the application process, you will need a favorable report from a mental health professional who has administered a psychological evaluation to you; this is required by most certified adoption agencies.
It may appear as just another obstacle, but such a report will make your dream of bringing a new child into your family one step closer to a reality. There are several types of mental health professionals who may be approved to provide them, but it is important to be aware that not all of them have the same expertise and qualifications.
It can be crucial, that if any dispute may arise, your report is written by the one professional with more expertise in psychological assessment than any of the others- the clinical psychologist. He holds a doctor's degree in psychology and is the only approved professional who has had both specialized and rigorous training in psychological assessment included in his professional education.
You will then have the peace of mind in knowing that if any dispute may arise, if your report is done by a clinical psychologist, it will then be accorded the highest authority. The aim of a psychological evaluation is to determine how suitable you and your partner are to become adoptive parents.
Unfortunately, many prospective parents fret over what the correct thing to do or say may be while taking the test, which can often leave them doubtful of whether they will pass with a favorable report. In most cases, however, this anxiety is totally unnecessary.
The evaluation is not structured or made sufficiently complicated to trick or catch you in making a mistake. You and your partner will be assessed simply in terms of your ability to be parents so it's best to just be honest, candid and forthright in your responses-no tricks or landmines to fret over!
This is not a means to pry into your personal lives, but simply as assessment to determine whether you would be able to cope with the pressures and stresses which come with being committed parents. The worst thing you can do is appear that you're trying too hard to create a good impression or to hide unfavorable things.
Children have been placed into the adoption system for various reasons, such as their biological parents being unable to provide for their emotional or financial needs, military, political or geological crises in third world countries, etc. Due to this, you may also be evaluated on whether you would be able to provide for certain specific needs to any adoptive children who may require them.
Your psychological evaluation will not necessarily work in a way in which there is a right and wrong answer-you are not being judged on how good a parent you may be now (if you now have children of your own), but rather how suitable you would be as a parent to a child from a different background or culture and whether you have the capability to be able to provide for such a child-not just financially but also emotionally. You will also be asked about other aspects of your life such as your work, the history of your relationship with your partner and the obvious and not so obvious reasons you are looking to adopt.
When it comes to whether you will receive a favorable report or not, one simple way to put the odds on your side is to be honest, forthright and candid with the examiner. This is not only a legal matter, but is also a matter in which you will be able to make your family complete; honesty is key in order to make this a reality.
Any information which you choose to keep from the examiner or adoption agency can seriously damage your chances of being able to adopt if that information comes to light at a later stage-even if it is not too serious. Be certain to answer all questions openly and honestly and keep yourself motivated by thinking about that new child who may be joining your family in a matter of months.
Lastly, remember that although you may interact well with the professional who conducts your evaluation, he can only present his findings; he has no hand in actually deciding if you will be able to adopt or not. In the final analysis, that's the agency's decision.
The prospect of a psychological evaluation can seem daunting, but when you think about the possibility of expanding your family with a new child, it really is a small sacrifice to make. By being forthright in the way in which you answer questions and being as honest as possible, you will be all the more likely to receive a favorable psychological report and soon will be welcoming that new child into your family.
